What is the weather like in Durban in January?

Expect temperatures between 21°C and 27°C with 28% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Durban in January?

Durban in January scores 63/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Worthwhile timing with some trade-offs.

Who should visit Durban in January?

January in Durban is ideal for: Beach lovers, Cultural tourists, Business travelers, Adventure seekers.

Durban Weather in January | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

27°C

Hottest around day 24

Avg Low

21°C

Coolest around day 1

Rainy Days

20days

28% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Winter season

Sea Temperature in January

Indian Ocean

24.7°C

Monthly Average

Water Feel

☀️Warm

Perfect for swimming and water sports

Swim Rating

✅Excellent for swimming

Based on average sea surface temperature

Body of Water

Indian Ocean

Durban coastline

Essential Travel Info for Durban

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

ZAR

R South African rand

Language

Afrikaans

+10 more

Driving

Left side

Safety

Moderate Safety

GPI: 2.283

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Durban

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Low Traffic

28/ 100

Traffic Index

Quieter airport

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

Apr

Low

Nov

Monthly Traffic Distribution

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Jo'anna OR Tambo (JNB)

Cape Town (CPT)

Port Elizabeth (PLZ)

Bloemfontain Bram Fischer (BFN)

Dubai (DXB)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

9 Recommendations

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Cholera

There is no longer active cholera transmission and vaccine is not recommended.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to South Africa.Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, are immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to South Africa. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to South Africa.

Malaria

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of South Africa take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.Transmission areasAlong the border with Mozambique and ZimbabweKwaZulu-Natal Province: uMkhanyakude District; the districts of King Cetshwayo and Zululand (few cases)Limpopo Province: the districts of Mopani and Vhembe; the districts of Capricorn, Greater Sekhukhune, and Waterberg (few cases)Mpumalanga Province: Ehlanzeni DistrictKruger National ParkDrug resistanceChloroquineSpeciesP. falciparum(primarily)P. malariae,P. ovale, andP. vivax(less commonly)Recommended chemoprophylaxisKwaZulu-Natal Province (uMkhanyakude District); Limpopo Province (the districts of Mopani and Vhembe); Mpumalanga Province (Ehlanzeni District); and Kruger National Park: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine2All other areas with malaria transmission (including the districts of King Cetshwayo and Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal Province, and the districts of Capricorn, Greater Sekhukhune, and Waterberg in Limpopo Province): No chemoprophylaxis recommended (insect bite precautions and mosquito avoidance only)4Updated April 23, 2025See footnotes

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

+3 more

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

View Complete Health Guide

Is January a Good Time to Visit Durban?

👌Worthwhile timing with some trade-offs(63/100)

Short Answer

Beach lovers rejoice: Durban's January features 24.7°C sea temperatures alongside 27°C air temps. Just 28% rain risk makes this prime swimming season.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Rough sea conditions

1.91m average wave height - Surfers Only

Peak tourist season

96% of annual peak - expect crowds and peak prices

Pleasant swimming conditions

24.7°C sea temperature

Health precautions needed

Be aware of: Leptospirosis, Melioidosis, Schistosomiasis

Plenty of sunshine

10h of sunshine daily

Good For

🏖️
Beach lovers
24.7°C warm seas and 28% rain probability
🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather
🎯
Adventure seekers
1.91m waves - good for surfing and water sports

Who Should Avoid

💰
Budget travelers
Peak season means premium prices everywhere
👴
Elderly travelers
79% humidity creates difficult conditions

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Durban in January averages 27°C with 28% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: Durban in January

What are the temperatures in Durban in January?

Daytime highs average 27°C, nights drop to 21°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Durban in January?

Expect around 20 days with measurable rainfall. Rain is unlikely to disrupt plans.

What to wear in Durban in January?

Comfortable casual wear with a light jacket for evenings.

Is January peak season in Durban?

This is shoulder season—moderate prices and manageable crowds.

Durban Weather in January